Conveyor system for the individual transport of various objects

ABSTRACT

A conveyor system comprising a track and a row of transporter elements movable along this track and guided by it, each of these movable transporter elements comprising means of guidance with respect to the track and a device permitting a detachable connection with an object to be transported. Each transporter element is mounted to slide along the track, it comprises means cooperating with other means carried by the track to ensure the support by relative attraction to the latter. The device for detachable connection between the transporter element and the object comprises means ensuring a mutual attraction between them.

,1 1 United States atent [72] Inventor Maurice Barthalon 78 avenue HenriNartin (XVI), Paris, France [21] Appl. No. 801,726 [22] Filed Feb. 24,1969 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [32] Priority Mar. 8, 1968 [33] France [31]142921 [54] CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORT OF VARIOUSOBJECTS 56 Claims, 20 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 104/89, 104/148 MS, 104/23 FS, 104/96,105/150 [51] Int. Cl860v 1/02, B60v 3/04, B6lb 13/08 [50] Field of Search 104/23, 89, 91,96;105/148, 149, 214/1 BS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,101,677 8/1963 Ehinger 104/91 Primary ExaminerArthur L. La PointAssistant Examiner-Robert Saifer Att0rneyYoung 8:. Thompson ABSTRACT: Aconveyor system comprising a track and a row of transporter elementsmovable along this track and guided by it, each of these movabletransporter elements comprising means of guidance with respect to thetrack and a device permitting a detachable connection with an object tobe transported. Each transporter element is mounted to slide along thetrack, it comprises means cooperating with other means carried by thetrack to ensure the support by relative attraction to the latter. Thedevice for detachable connection between the transporter element and theobject comprises means ensuring a mutual attraction between them.

PATENTED JAN 41972 SHEET 5 BF 9 Mame/c: (5%? 7/7 61 0 PATENTED JAN 4:972

SHEET 7 BF 9 PATENTEB JAN 4572 SHEET 8 BF 9 Fig. 19

MA? awe: 6/91,? Wm 04/ CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORT OFVARIOUS OBJECTS The present invention concerns a conveyor systemcomprising at least one substantially continuous beam acting as a trackand at least one row of mobile transporter elements along this trackeach equipped with liaison means, and propulsion means. Each of thetransporter elements permits the transport of any object, such as anautomobile vehicle.

The particularly advantageous properties of the conveyor systemaccording to the invention, notably its simplicity of installation, itscharacteristics of picking up objects to be transported and ofintegrating these objects into the general movement of the conveyor,permit handling systems to be realized for industrial premises or forpassage over rivers. But the invention may equally well be used toimprove the flow through tunnels, under mountains or estuaries, and alsofor the realization of educational toys.

According to a preferred field of application of the invention, theconveyor system is more especially intended to constitute an integratedsystem of urban public transport for individual vehicles.

Chain conveyors are already known, comprising carriages mechanicallyattached to a chain, carrying the objects transported, but as theselatter are simply placed on these carriages, or on pans suspended fromthem, there is a risk of them being displaced and falling off.Furthermore the chains give rise to frequent troubles and the absence ofa springing system between the object and the transporter causes directtransmission to the object of shocks arising from the operation of theconveyor, which, in particular, excludes movement at high speed.

These conveyors can be improved by equipping the carriages with amechanical or pneumatic system of picking up the objects but this has atendency to complicate the installation and to make it heavier, whilereducing its reliability. Furthermore the shocks arising during thepicking up of the object by the carriage attached to the chain, or byfriction on the track are appreciable.

Handling or public transport systems are already known which comprisevehicles guided or propelled by devices bringing into play gaseous,liquid, or magnetic means (Bertin, Hovercraft, Barthalon, Polygreen). Inthese systems the guided vehicles are permanently attached to the track.

Such systems of public transport have difficulty in attracting users ofprivate cars, permitting transport from door-to-door, because such usersare used to the comfort, the privacy, the absence of scrimmage andwaiting, to the protection against bad weather, and to transport withoutbreakdown and delay which is provided by an individual vehicle.

Also proposed are systems of public transport intended for thetransportation of motor cars or specialized vehicles, but thearrangements proposed do not permit rapid picking up of the vehicle bythe transporter, nor its easy insertion into the flow on the main track,comfortable springing during the journey or rapid discharge withoutslowing down the transporter.

The conveyor system according to the invention is intended to remedy theabove-mentioned difiiculties, especially due to the use of transporterelements of a particular kind so as to obtain a conveyor of high speedand high flow, ensuring the pickup, the transport and the dischargewithout shock of objects between at least two places connected by thetrack.

The invention is also intended to avoid slowing down and stopping duringnormal transport, loss of time due to breakdowns, noise and atmosphericpollution in urban zones.

Another object of the invention is to combine the advantages ofindependence and handiness of individual vehicles guided along a specialtrack.

According to the invention, the conveyor system, which comprises a trackand a row of mobile transporter elements movable along and guided bysaid track, said transporter elements comprising means to ensure adetachable connection with objects to be transported, is characterizedin that it comprises means to ensure lifting and sliding of saidtransporter elements respectively to said track, said means comprisingtwo walls facing each other and separated by a gaseous medium, saidwalls being attached to said track and each transporter elementrespectively, and means to ensure interaction between said walls todevelop a lifting force.

The lifting of the transporter elements and their sliding along thetrack with a very weak friction, together with the detachable connectionwith the object to be transported result, as will be seen hereinbelow,in a very great operational flexibility, in particular permittingconnection between the object to be transported and the associatedtransporter element while they are moving.

According to a first type of embodiment, the lifting and sliding meansof the transporter elements relative to the track are constituted by gascushions interposed between said elements and the track, these cushionsbeing brought to a pressure which is lower, or, on the contrary, higher,than that in the environment.

According to another embodiment, the lifting and sliding means of thetransporter elements relative to the track are magnetic in nature.

In both types of embodiments, the track and the transporter elements areadapted to permit interaction between some of their walls whilepermitting the displacement of the transporter elements along the track.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device fordetachable connection between the transporter element and the object tobe transported comprises means to ensure a mutual attraction between thelatter. Preferably, when the dynamic lifting means (e.g., vacuum orcompressed air generators, magnetic flux generators) of the transporterelements are carried by the latter, the means to ensure mutualattraction of the transporter element and the object to be transportedare of the same nature, which results in saving means on the transporterelements.

Preferably the transporter elements, mounted to slide along the track,are guided laterally along it by pneumatic or magnetic means.

The absence of maintenance and the reliability due to the connection byattraction according to a predetermined law of force, are majoradvantages in a conveyor of high flow.

According to an advantageous realization of the invention pickup means,more particularly mechanical and capable of ensuring a rigid safetyconnection, are provided between the transporter element and the object,other than the means of attraction stated above.

The attraction to and the picking up of the object by the transporterelement facilitates the separation between the object and its initialsupport. Furthermore this arrangement constitutes a reliable connectionbetween the object and the transporter element during the run. At theend of the run it permits an easy discharge of the object.

The connection by pneumatic or magnetic attraction between the track andthe transporter element, without contact force, and the low inertia ofthe transporter element permit the picking up of the object to beachieved without appreciable shock.

In an advantageous realization, the conveyor comprises an arrangementfor the displacement and bringing up to speed of the object prior to itsbeing picked up by the slide. Bringing the object up to speed avoids anyslowing down in the flow of transporter elements on the main track ofthe conveyor. The conveyor can thus provide a considerable flow.

According to an advantageous realization, a conveyor comprises a devicefor bringing the transporter elements and the objects into their correctrelative positions during the acceleration. The conveyor also comprisesdevices for guiding the object, which imposes on it a trajectory whichprogressively approaches the track along which the transporter elementscirculate. This allows the progressive insertion of one object betweenthe neighboring objects already being transported by the conveyor, andthe bringing into action of the picking up organs at the moment when atransporter element and an object are in the correct relationship as tospeed and position, the transporter element being vertically above theobject.

The object to be transported is preferably suspended from thetransporter element, this providing an inherently stable system, thecenter of gravity of the whole being below the center of support.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, it isintended that the upper and the lower faces of the object should havespecialized functions: the upper face cooperates with the transporterelement to constitute a part of the connecting means with thetransporter element at high speed, while the lower face of the objectcarries means for movement relative to the ground, such as wheels,tracks, rollers, moving belts and air cushions, which facilitate lowspeed, selfpropelled movement at the ends of the conveyor. It is alsopossible to achieve rapid and comfortable door-to-door transport withvehicles which are simple and of inexpensive construction.

According to an improved embodiment, which is notably intended toimprove the reliability of the transporter elements by sizeablysimplifying the construction thereof, the guiding and sliding means ofthe transporter elements with respect to the track comprises a collectorsecured to the track and having orifices to connect it to the track, andair turbines carried by the track to maintain said collector to apressure which is different from the atmospheric pressure. Thetransporter elements thus do not carry any lifting dynamic device.

According to a particular improved version, the conveyor ischaracterized in that the track is located above the transporterelements and comprises enveloping flanges reaching below the edges ofsaid transporter elements, and in that it comprises means to createfluid cushions at a pressure above atmospheric between said flanges andthe lower faces of the transporter elements.

Other characteristics of the invention will become clear or will arisefrom the following description in which are successively described theutilization of the pneumatic attraction means and of the magneticattraction means to achieve the detachable connections between the threeprincipal parts of the conveyor; the track, the transporter element, andthe object transported.

In the attached drawings, given as nonlimitative examples:

FIG. 1 represents a transverse section on II of FIG. 2 of a firstembodiment of the invention for transporting containers.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section on II-II of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 represent schematically and on a small scale devices forthe loading or the discharge of the containers by the conveyor.

FIG. 5 represents a transverse section of a variant intended for thehandling of sheets.

FIG. 6 represents a transverse section of a variant of the conveyor forcontainers.

FIG. 7 represents a switching arrangement in the vertical plane.

FIG. 8 shows a transverse section on VIIIVIII of FIG. 9 of a conveyorutilizing magnetic attraction.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal part section on IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view with cutaways of a conveyor for town cars.

FIG. 1 1 represents schematically the arrangement for loading theconveyor shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a section on XII-XII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the installation of the conveyor for town cars.

FIG. 14 shows a scheme in perspective of another variant of the conveyorfor the transport of aircraft cells.

FIG. 15 is a transverse section, on XVXV of FIG. 16, of anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section, on a smaller scale, on XVI-XVlof FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a transverse section, on XVII-XVII of FIG. 18, of an improvedversion of the embodiment shown in FIG. I546.

FIG. 18 is a smaller scale longitudinal section on XVIII XVIII of FIG.17.

FIG. 19 is a transversal section of another version of the embodimentshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 20 is a partial schematic section of another version of theembodiment shown in FIG. 6.

The first industrial embodiment represented on FIGS. 1 to 4 concerns aconveyor for containers. In this embodiment, there is a row of mobiletransporter elements formed by slide blocks I mounted to slide along atrack 2 of profiled box-girder-type supported by spaced-apart posts 3.The suspended track thus formed avoids intersections with other roads ortracks at ground level.

The slide block 1 is supported under the horizontal face 9 of the beam 2by lifting chambers 10 of a type already known, which are subjected to asubatmospheric pressure by means of conduits 12a and air extractor fans12 driver by electric mo tors 13. The lower edges 14 of the slide block1 cooperate with the interior flanges 5a of the side faces 5 of the beam2 to control automatically the lifting pressure and to act as a safetydevice in case the extractors l2 cease to function.

The objects to be transported are in this case containers 20 of astandardized type having a flat roof and rounded corners.

On the lower face 15 of the slide block 1 is attached at least oneperipheral flexible lip 16 which defines, with the lower face 15 of theslide block 1 and the upper face 19 of the container 20, an enclosedchamber 17 forming a suction cup and constituting a detachableconnection means between slide block 1 and container 20 by pneumaticattraction.

A conduit 18 connects the chamber 17 to the extractors 12, a nonretumvalve 21 prevents the chamber 17 becoming pressurized in the case ofaccidental stoppage of the extractors 12. A conduit 22 normally closedby an electromagnetic valve 23 allows the connection of chamber 17 tothe atmosphere.

The safety and the mechanical retention of the containers 20 are ensuredby hooks 25 which close automatically under the action of springs 26 onbars 28 attached to the roof 19 of the container 20. The release of thehooks 25 is electromagnetic and is effected by electromagnets 27 actingin opposition to the springs 26. Supply to the electromagnets 27 and themagnetic valve 23 is effected by a side pickup 29 attached to the slideblock 1. At certain portions of the track 2 intended for the charging ordischarging of containers 20, the pickup 29 comes in contact with a sidecatenary 30 carried by this beam (FIGS. 3 & 4).

Electrical supply to the catenary 30 is ensured by remote control bymeans of a contactor 31. This avoids any accidental supply to theelectromagnetic valve 23 or the electromagnet The slide block I is aself-propelled and for this purpose includes under a casing fourpropulsion wheels 4 having a vertical axis and driven by universal jointshafts 7 from electric motors 6. The wheels 4 are pressed against theinterior vertical faces 5 of the beam 2 by springs 8.

The electrical supply to the motors of the set of slide blocks of oneconveyor system is from the beam 2 by means already known, includingpower modulation and speed control. Brakes are provided on the wheels 4.

If desired, the spacing between the slide blocks 1 can be carried outsimply by coupling links 151 which include an elastic articulation 152.It would not go beyond the scope of the invention to specify mechanical,electrical or electronic spacing means. For example the motors 6 couldbe controlled by rheostats connected to the feed circuit and acted on bythe coupling link 151.

During loading, when a slide block 1 has been positioned directly abovea container 20, the lip 16 comes substantially into contact with theroof 19 of the container 20. The slide block I rests on the flanges 5aof the beam track 2 by means of its lower edge 14.

When the motors l3 and the extractors 12 are switched on, the pressurein the chambers 10 and I7 progressively decreases which slowly lifts theslide block 1 and the container while at the same time binding themtogether. The bars 28 are automatically hooked between the safety hooks25. Switching on the motors 6 starts the slide block 1 moving, withoutany friction.

It is thus possible to ensure economic transport at high speed. Handlingtimes can be as low as possible, this handling being in any caseentirely automatic.

The combination of the beam with the transporter elements by means ofthe intermediate fluid-lifting cushions makes possible very light andsimple structures for the track and the slide block. Furthermore, theforces of connection with the track have no horizontal component. Thecombination of these means with an arrangement for the attraction andthe pickup of the object, preferably by a fluid connections means, alsofacilitates the separation and picking up of the object without anyshock and without stopping. Gnce the object is suspended under the slideblock, the center of gravity is lower than the plane of support and theassembly is inherently stable.

It is understood, of course, that containers 20 can be equipped withrolling means 153 and drawbars 154, allowing their movement on theground by orthodox means.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of the track 2 for the loading and unloadingof the slide blocks 1. The track 2 comprises for this purpose a sideline 39 which is connected to the main tract by two sets of points 380and 38b, adapted to the subatmospheric pressure-lifting system and of atype already known.

The track 39 includes a deceleration zone 34, an unloading zone 35 witha moving belt 32 for the removal of the containers 20, anattraction/pickup zone 36 equipped with a moving belt 33 for bringing upthe containers 20 to be loaded and an acceleration zone 37. A contractor31 controls the electrical supply to the catenary 30 and thus permits,when required, the excitation of the electromagnet 27 when a slide block1 arrives immediately above the moving belt 32. A similar control, notshown, is provided for the moving belt 33.

FIG. 4 shows a variant of the loading/pickup zone comprising means forthe progressive approach of the track 2 and the containers to be loaded20, with means for bringing the latter up to speed before being pickedup. Under the main track 2, which descends as it arrives over the zoneand climbs again afterwards, is provided a track of motor-driven rollers40, arranged to give an acceleration in the zone 41, to maintain aconstant speed slightly below that of the slide blocks on the maintrack, in the zone 42, and to give a deceleration in the zone 43. Alever-operated electromagnet contact 44, located at a convenientdistance from the loading zone, sets the accelerator rollers 41 inoperation. The assembly allows the movement of the container 20 to besynchronized with that of an empty slide block 1, to insert thecontainer 20 between the containers already being transported by theneighboring slide blocks 1 (not shown), and to ensure the pickup of thecontainer without shock, the latter having already been brought up tospeed.

For the pickup process, the movement of an empty slide block In operatesthe contact 44 having a time advance such that the accelerator rollers41 bring the container to be picked up 20a into the zone 42 under anempty slide block 1a but slightly ahead of it and at a slightly lowerspeed. Since the contact 31 is open, the suction cup for pickup 17 ispartially evacuated. As soon as the lip 16 is fully located on the roof19 of the container 200 the latter is raised by the effect ofsubatmospheric pressure in the suction cup 17 and it is lifted away fromthe roller train of the zone 42. Inversely on the arrival of a slideblock 1 to be unloaded, the closing of the contact 31 causes theelectromagnetic valve 23 to be opened while the safety hooks 25 areopened by the electromagnet 27. The suction cup 17 is brought up toatmospheric pressure and the container 20 then rests on the rollers 42without shock because the latter are at a speed which is substantiallyequal to that of the slide block. The rollers of zone 43 bring thecontainer to rest. The latter can then be taken in charge by a roadtractor and thus reach its final destination.

It would naturally not be beyond the scope of this invention to utilizeit for the handling of any other objects, for example baggage atstations and airports, blocks of ore in mines and quarries, parts inworkshops, plates of fragile material, etc.

FIG. 5 shows a variant intended for the handling of sheets of glass orwindow panes 155. In this realization, the pickup mechanism 98, whichincludes a double suction cup 16 with concentric lips, has a flexiblebellows 118 suspended from the slide block 1 and in which thesubatmospheric pressure is controlled by a three-way cock 119 which isremote controlled. The bellows 118 forms a secondary suspension. Two ofthe ways of the cock 119 join the lifting chamber 10 to the chamber 118ainside the bellows 118. The third way leads to the interior of slideblock 1.

An air extractor 120 communicates via a flexible axial sleeve 121 withthe pickup mechanism 98 through a nonretum valve 122. An electromagneticvalve 123, remotely controlled, permits the pickup mechanism 98 to bebrought up to atmospheric pressure by a conduit not shown.

The operation is as follows: the electromagnetic valve 123 being closed,the extractor 120 is started up and creates a subatmospheric pressure inthe pickup mechanism 98, which thus adheres to the pane 155. Theapplication of subatmospheric pressure to the bellows 118 by the cock119 placed in the position shown in FIG. 5 permits the pickup mechanism98 and the pane to be lifted up. At the desired height the cock 119 isclosed. The bellows 118 thus provides a fluid suspension of considerableamplitude, and thus very flexible, for the panes transported 155. Theirdescent is ensured by connecting the bellows 118 to the atmosphere bythe progressive opening of the cock 119 on the orifice side 119a. Thepane 155 is freed from the pickup mechanism 98 by opening the valve 123.

According to a variant shown in FIGS. 6 & 7, the invention is combinedwith a conveyor having slide blocks 50 with positive pressure aircushions. The combination of the latter with slide blocks havingchambers at subatmospheric pressure of the type described above, makesit possible to realize a system of points in the vertical plane withoutinterruption to traffic owing to displacement means which permitsupport, at least temporary, on the face of the object opposite thatwhich is attached to the slide block.

The slide blocks 50 slide on a lower profiled track 51 and comprisecompressors 53 which provide air for the support cushions 54 and thelateral guiding cushions 55. The upper face 56 of each slide block 50,includes a flexible peripheral lip 57. This, with the upper faces 56 ofthe slide block and the lower face 58 of the container 20 defines achamber 59 forming a suction cup for the attraction and pickup. Thesuction cup 59 is subjected to subatmospheric pressure by the intake ofthe compressor 53 by means of a venturi 60 placed in the intake duct53a.

On the conduit 61 which brings the subatmospheric pressure to chamber59, is a nonretum valve 62 which avoids chamber 59 from beingaccidentally brought up to atmospheric pressure. A remotely controlledelectromagnet 63 allows the chamber 59 to be brought up to a pressureabove that of the atmosphere and, consequently, the unloading of thecontainer 20, whose superstructure furthermore conforms to therealization of FIGS. 1 and 2. On its base the container 20 carries ribs156 located to face grooves 157 of the face 56, which serve tocentralize the container 20 on the slide block 50.

In the region of the points (FIG. 7), the upper track 2 and the lowertrack 51 approach each other to a distance substantially correspondingto the height of the container 20, taking into account the heights ofthe slide blocks 1 and 50. At this position, the catenaries 30a and 30bpermit respectively the excitation of the electromagnetic valves 23 or63, according to the position of a two-way switch 65, whose commoncontact is connected to a source of supply 66, and whose other contacts650 and 65b are respectively connected to the catenaries 30a and 30b. Anelectronic device, not shown, ensures the synchronization of positionand of the speed of the slide blocks 1 and 50 on their respectivetracks.

When a container 20 arrives from the left, in the direction of arrow F,on the upper track 2, and is to be transferred to the lower track 51,the reversing switch 65 is placed in position 65a, which causes thecatenary 30a to become live. During the movement of the slide block 1the electromagnetic valve 23 is thus open, as are the safety hooks 25.The container 20 frees itself from the slide block 1 and places itself,by gravity, on the slide block 50, which is positioned exactly under it.The withdrawal of air from the chamber 59 by the venturi 60 locks thecontainer 20 on the sideblock 50 due to the effect of the subatmosphericpressure created in chamber 59. The container pursues its way on thelower track 51. The reverse operation, transfer from the lower track tothe upper track, is carried out by putting the reversing switch 65 intoposition 6512.

Such a points system permits the transfer of an object from an overheadtrack to another track of the same type, by the temporary passage of theobject on a lower track having pneumatic support.

The conveyor shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is intended to ensure the handlingof ferromagnetic parts. Magnetic attraction is here used both for theconnection between the vehicle and the track, and for the system ofpickup of the objects to be transported.

On the roof 70 of a tunnel are fixed the regularly spaced inductors 71of a variable reluctance sequentially switched linear electric motoraccording to the US. Pat. No. 697,089 filed by the Applicant on Jan. ll,1968 for Electromagnetic device producing a mechanical action." Themagnetic circuits 72 of this motor, regularly spaced along the track,are cut by airgaps '73 and excited by pairs of coils 74 arranged aroundthe pole pieces. Two lateral plates 75, which have inward facing flanges76 on their lower parts, maintain the magnetic circuits 72 in position.

The coils 74 are fed from a three-phase supply 86 by means of a supplyline 161, with circular permutation of the supply phases to ensurecyclic distribution of the magnetizing flux along the track.

in the part of the track intended for the loading and the transport ofthe objects to be handled, for example, containers in ferromagneticmetal 89, the conveyor includes lateral catenaries 87 carried byinsulators 162. The catenaries 87 are intended to ensure the supply forthe means of magnetic attraction provided on the mobile transporterelements to ensure the pickup and holding of the containers 89. in thesame region, there is disposed under the track and orthogonal to it, aroller transporter 91 oriented transversally. The transporter 91 isintended to ensure that the containers 89 are brought up to the correctposition for pickup by the conveyor.

The mobile transporter elements 163 of the conveyor are each formed bytwo groups 81 of nonmagnetic plates 78 an ticulated relative to eachother by hinges 79. Each group 81 is mounted to slide in the airgaps 73.At the center of each plate 78 is mounted a magnetic armature 77 whosesurface is greater than that of the pole pieces of the circuit 72.

The plates 78 are guided in the airgaps 73 by shoes 80 in aself-lubricating material, which bear on the plates 75. The clearancebetween the shoes and the plates is less than half the clearance of themagnetic armatures 77 in the airgaps 73, in order to avoid anyperturbing lateral force caused by the armatures 77 being off center inthe airgaps.

Each of the groups 81 carries at its midpoint, and mounted on a ball andsocket bearing, a shaft 164 which is free to turn, and which supports abeam 82, common to two consecutive groups 81. The beam 82 supports anelectromagnet 83, with its magnetic body 84 and its excitation coil 85which forms the magnetic attraction/pickup device for the containers 89.

Current supply to the coils 85 is ensured by the flexibly mountedpickups 88 capable of making contact with the catenaries 87.

The safety system, in case the electric supply is cut, is formed by theinterior flanges '76, on which bear the plates 78, and by a surroundingmetal trellis 90, intended to keep the containers 89 on the trajectoryof the conveyor.

Operation is as follows: since the sequential impulses received by thecoils 7d are the same for all those coils fed from the same phase, thereis complete synchronization of the movement of the various slide blocks,and their relative positions remain the same, without the necessity ofmechanical connection between them. There is no risk of collision. Thearmatures 77 are light and do not add appreciably to the weight of thetransporter element.

The load on a slide block tends to cause the magnetic armature 77 toextend from the airgaps 73 in a downward direction. This increases thereluctance of the magnetic circuit and creates an upwards force ofattraction, bringing the magnetic armature 77 back into the airgap. Thelines of force are perpendicular to the movement, whether this belongitudinal or vertical. This arrangement permits the bestconcentration of flux in the airgap, and a force versus displacementrelationship which is very favorable to good suspension.

The container 89 waits on the transporter 91 until a slide block, formedby two groups 81 joined by the beam 82 carrying the electromagnet 83,arrives along the track; the pickups 88 make contact with the catenaries87 which feeds the electromagnet 83. This latter lifts up the container89 which is placed immediately beneath it, holds it to its lower face,and carries it away with it. The container 89 is set down at the desiredplace by interrupting the catenaries 87 which cuts off the supply fromthe electromagnet 83.

The use of a magnetic suspension of the type described avoids creatingnoise and dust inside the tunnel 70 or in other places, such as afactory, equipped with such a conveyor.

The conveyor shown in H6. 10, 11 and 13 is applied to the transport ofautomobile vehicles 102, in particular of town vehicles, so as to ensurea journey which is comfortable, and without intermediate stops, whilepermitting independent operation and individual control of the vehiclesat the ends of the track, and automatic movement in the intermediatepart.

Each slide block 95 of the track 2 is similar to the slide block 1 ofthe first realization. However the propulsion of the slide block 95 ispreferably ensured by a linear electric motor whose field windings 96are mounted in the center of the slide block and whose armature 97 isattached under the beam 2. This means of propulsion, which is welladapted to high speeds, permits easy synchronization of one slide blockto another while ensuring complete silence, an important point for anurban installation. The attraction and pickup device 98, of thepneumatic suction-cup-type, is attached to the slide block 95 by asuspension system comprising very flexible springs 99 and shockabsorbers 100. A flexible tube 101 supplies subatmospheric pressure tothe pickup device 98 by means of the extraction fans of the slide block.The device 98 is comparable to the similar device described in the firstrealization.

The natural resonance frequencies of the pneumatic lifting cushions andthe elastic suspension are very different, and constitute a veryeffective two-stage suspension, especially since they are well damped.

The subatmospheric air cushion for the lifting of the slide blocks 95along the track 2 has a very simple structure, and operates withoutcontact with the track. Very few shutdowns are required for dealing withincidents or for maintenance. The combination of the pneumaticattraction of the slide block 95 with the subatmospheric pressure devicefor attraction and pickup 98, which is equipped with a very flexiblesuspension system 99, ensures outstanding comfort for the passengers ofthe vehicles 102 and exceptional reliability of operation.

In this variant, intended for urban transport, the automobile vehicle102, of the baby car type, comprises an electric motor 103 for drivingits wheels 166. The motor 103 is supplied from batteries 167, whichavoids any atmospheric pollution. A speed controller 104, controlledboth by pedal and by remote control, acts on the motor 103. The vehicleis very light and simple, because it only operates in contact with theground for local journeys at low speed, and for a very short period oftime when being brought up to speed before being picked up by the slideblocks 95, as will be seen later. The body 168 is in a plastic material,and is self-supporting both when operating on the wheels 166 and whensuspended by the roof. This latter is flat with rounded edges andcarries bars 28 for the safety hooks as in the case of FIG. 1. Thesuspension between the wheels and the body comprises elastic elements,in a self-damping material, such as rubber, having small amplitude,since this suspension is only intended to operate at low speeds or on aperfectly flat special track for bringing up to speed during the pickupprocess by the slide block 95.

The slide blocks 95 circulate at high and steady speed along track 2. Toachieve the pickup of the vehicles 102 without slowing down the slideblocks 95, an approach and guide track 105, having a smooth surface, isprovided with kerbs 106 (FIG. 12) on each side, to guide the vehicle102. The slope of the track 105 is such that the vertical distancebetween this track and the beam 2 on the bringing up to speed section169, decreases, which facilitates the insertion of the slide block 95between two slide blocks already loaded. This distance remains constantover the attraction/pickup/lifting away section 171, then increases overthe unloading section 172. The track 105 thus has a profile of doubleslope embankment. This conveyor is intended to ensure the loading of thevehicles 102 on to a track on which certain of the slide blocks 95 arealready loaded with a vehicle, and to allow automatic synchronization ofthe movement of the vehicles to be loaded, relative to the empty slideblocks 95.

To this end, the bringing up to speed device of the vehicle 102comprises (FIG. 11), at a sufi'rcient distance before the start of theapproach track 169, a photoelectric cell 109 which remotely controls thestarting switch of motor 103, the vehicle 102 then being in apredetermined waiting position 1020. For this purpose a pedal contactor173 is located between the track 105 and an appropriate contactor on thevehicle 102. In parallel, each slide block 95 carries a source of light107 which directs downwards a luminous focused beam 108 whose trajectorypasses over the cell 109. This beam is interrupted if the slide block 95is already carrying a vehicle 102. Of course the distance between thevehicle in the waiting position 102a and the track 2 is sufiicient topermit the free passage of loaded slide blocks.

The masking of the light source 107 by vehicle 102 loaded onto a slideblock, prevents any accidental starting up of the vehicle 1020.

The system (slide block 95-vehicle 102) is also so arranged as to ensurethe automatic pickup when the vehicle and the slide block are in thecorrect relative position and have the same speed. To this end the roofof the vehicle 102 carries a light source 94 (FIG. just behind itscenter of gravity, which directs towards the track 2 a light beam 940.The slide block 95 carries a photoelectric cell 92 situated in the samevertical plane as the source 94, on the same vertical axis as its centerof gravity. The cell 92 controls a contactor on the supply to theelectromagnetic valve 93 which, at rest, closes a tube 101 for bringingthe pickup device 98 to subatmospheric pressure. The coincidence of thecenters of gravity improves the stability of the assembly comprising theslide block 95 and the vehicle 102.

Operation is as follows: when an empty slide block 950 arrives, theelectric impulse emitted by the cell 109 operates the contact 173,starting up the electric motor 103 at full power, which rapidlyaccelerates the vehicle 1020 on the track 105 just in advance of theslide block 95a, up to a speed regulated by the controller 104 (actingunder remote control) to a value which is just below that of the slideblock 950 which is moving in the same direction, following arrow F. Theslide block 9511 progressively overtakes the vehicle 102a at a point onthe pickup section 171. At the moment where the beam 94 reaches the cell92, the electric current produced by the latter operates the supplycontactor to the electromagnetic valve 93 which causes the pickup device98 to be subjected to subatmospheric pressure.

The vertical distance between the track 2 and the track 105 in thesection 171 is such that the suction cup 16 of the pickup device entersinto light contact with the roof of the vehicle 102a. A subatmosphericpressure is created in the interior 17 of the suction cup 16, which atthe same time attaches the vehicle 102a to the slide block a and alsolifts it from the ground. The safety hooks 25 automatically close on thebars 28, and the journey of the vehicle 102a on the main transporter athigh speed commences from the disengagement section 172. Due to thesubatmospheric pressure connection between the vehicle and the slideblock on the one hand, and the suspension system on the other hand, thepickup and the transport takes place without appreciable shock.

In the disengagement section 172 the distance between the beam 2 and thetrack 105 increases and if the pickup of the vehicle 102a by the slideblock 95a is not effected for any reason, the vehicle 102 disengageswithout fouling the other automobiles being conveyed, and will be guidedeither to a parking lot or to return to the bringing up to speed sectionfor a second attempt. The inverse process is used for unloading thevehicles. In view of the large number of slide blocks, it is intended toallow the slide block thus discharged to make the following journeyempty. It may be noted that the loading and the discharging of thevehicle can take place even without a driver on board.

The slide block can be equipped with auxiliary devices, in particular acurrent connection to be switched on automatically during the pickup ofthe vehicle, which allows the battery 167 to be recharged during thejourney, or to operate an airconditioning device, thus reducing theweight of the batteries required.

FIG. 13 shows a diagrammatic layout of a possible installation for sucha system of conveyor. The vehicles 102, not shown, are intended totransport passengers from dwelling houses to industrial buildings 111,passing through the departure station 112, located on a collectingbranch line 113 and equipped according to FIG. 11. The branch line 113ends at a common trunkline 114, which in turn splits up intodistribution branch lines 115, having arrival stations 116. The pointsare realized using means already known and habitually used onsurface-effect vehicles. The stations 116 are located in proximity ofthe buildings 111.

Another variant of the preceding realization is represented in FIG. 14and shows the ease of adapting the conveyor according to the inventionto the transport of aircraft passenger cells 126 which are detachablefrom the wings, according to arrangements-already known.

The cell 126 is detached from the rest of the aircraft 127, which onlycomprises the wings, the tail, the engines and the control cabin. Thecell is lead, by means of small retractable wheels, not shown, under theneighboring beam 2. Here several slide blocks 95 (shown diagrammaticallyin FIG. 14) take it in charge by means of a pickup/lift device of a typesimilar to those previously described. The use of several slide blocks95, which may be coupled together, facilitates the transport of loads ofdifferent lengths, and allows small radius curves to be taken.

The habitual interchange delays at airports, which cause a waste oftime, are thus avoided, and the loaded cells may be sent to the centerof the town if necessary.

It thus appears that the connection by attraction between the mobiletransporter element and the track on the one hand, and between thistransporter element and the object to be transported on the other hand,considerably eases the loading of the object without producing shock norrequiring great precision. The device according to the invention thuspresents considerable economic interest because it combines thewellknown advantages of air cushion vehicles or magnetic suspensionvehicles (no shutdowns for incidents or maintenance, a low noise level,simplicity, low capital cost, high speed) with the advantages ofconveyors (high flow regularity).

In its application to urban transport, the invention further providesthe flexibility of the utilization of automobiles, the

absence of atmospheric pollution, and the high safety-levelcharacteristic of public transport systems. It may be noted that thewhole of these advantages are practically indispensable to define asolution truly replying to the problem posed: to transport rapidlymillions of people and of objects without noise, nor pollution, norbreakdown, from door-to-door, in comfortable individual vehicles carriedby a network which only requires limited investment for itsconstruction.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the conveyor comprises a rowof high power air extractors 201, e.g. turbine extractors, which aremounted in profiled mouthpieces 2010 on the upper wall 9 of track 2.Wall 9 is supported by a boxgirder forming a collector 2a which ismaintained at a subatmospheric pressure. The lower wall 203 of track 2has regularly spaced-apart orifices 202 which connect collector 2a to alifting chamber 204 formed between the wall 203 and the uppermost partof the transporter elements 1. Orifices 202 are relatively close to eachother while air extractors 201 are relatively distant from each other.

Correlatively, the transporter element 1 does not carry any airextractor. Transporter element is constituted as shown in FIG. 1 andlike parts have been given like reference numerals. In particular,element 1 comprises a dovetail section body which slides between theprofiled lateral faces 5 of beam 2. Element 1 carries a nonreturn valve21 and an electromagnetic valve 23, to connect the lifting chamber tothe atmosphere, and articulated hooks 25 which cooperate with bars 28carried by the roof of container 20 to ensure a safe fastening of thelatter. The element structure is then very simple, light and reliable.

Between each pair of transporter elements 1, which com prise a rigidframework, a sealing member 205 is provided which has a variable length(being extensible and compressible, e.g. made of rubber) and has thesame transverse section as the element 1 to ensure airtightness betweenthe elements 1. Lifting chamber 204 is thus made substantiallycontinuous and no direct entry of atmospheric air is allowed betweenelements 1, which permits of decreasing the power consumption of the airextractors 201. The airflow from the extractors 201 is high enough forthe flow of a broken down extractor to be made up by that of the twoadjacent extractors.

A large number of small air extractors in the transporter elements 1 arethus replaced by a few large ones along the track 2. The efficiency ofthe latter is higher and the cost is lower for the same total power. Thetotal cost, the number of rotating shafts and the speed thereof arelower in this improved conveyor. The reliability is increased.Furthermore, and air extractor 201 can be replaced or maintained withoutstopping the conveyor.

According to an improved version shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, of thepreceding embodiment, the transporter elements form a single continuousconveying strip comprising a succession of plates 211 on which issecured the armature 212 of a driving linear electric motor 213. Asbefore, a variable lengthse'aling member 214, e.g. made of a rubberblock, having the same transverse section as the plates 211 and of hightransverse rigidity, is interposed between each pair of plates 211. Suchmember ensures the airtightness continuity between the plates and thetrack 2 and brings up flexibility to meet the direction changes in track2 and any small spacing variations between the plates 211. The lateralguidance of the conveying strip is performed by a succession of wheels215 carried by the track 2. To allow the relative displacements of theplates 211, the armature 212, secured to the upper face of the latter,is made of a row of elements which are articulated to each other. Thetrack 2, which is located above the plates 211 comprises envelopingflanges 220 which reach below the edges of plates 21 1.

Operation of this version is similar to that of the precedingembodiment. The other features are also similar, namely the arrangementof collector 20, air extractors 201 and flexible lips l6.

In this version, the plates 211 are ofa remarkable simplicity. withoutmoving parts, and can be manufactured at a very low cost. The weight isdecreased and the reliability further increased. The sealing members 214are preferably resilient so that the two transporter elements 211 whichare located on each side of an element being loaded can move by a smallvertical distance while the object to be transported is being picked up.The sealing members 214 also contribute to the acceleration of thetransporter element considered when the latter takes charge of anobject.

According to another group of improvements, shown in FIG. 19 and 20, thesubatmospheric pressure suction cup 17 is kept between the transporterelement 1 and the object 20 to be transported and so is kept the slidingand guiding system comprising an overpressure air cushion 221, but thelatter is now located above the object 20 and above a flange 222 oftrack 2.

To this end, each transporter element 1 comprises a T- shaped centralextension 225 projecting between the enveloping flanges 222 of thetrack. The wings 226 of extension 225 overhang the flanges 222 and areso arranged as to slide freely in a passageway formed underneath thebeam 2.

Each transporter element carries two compressors 223 whose intake duct227 opens into the suction cup 17 and contributes to maintain thesubatmospheric pressure in the latter. The exhaust duct 228 divides intobranches 229 which supply compressed air to the lifting cushionestablished between flanges 222 and the lower face of wings 226.

ln the version shown in FIG. 20, which also concerns a lifting systemwith overpressure air cushions, the track comprises two compressed aircollectors 23] extending below enveloping flanges 232. The latter havespaced-apart orifices 233 to allow compressed air to flow to theopposite face 234 of the wings 235 of the T-shaped extension 236 of thetransporter element. The latter therefore does not carry any aircompressor.

In some cases, e.g. in case of a dusty atmosphere, the overpresssurelifting system is to be preferred to the subatrnospheric pressure systemand the combination with an object depending from the track constitutesa remarkably simple and stable realization of moving transporterelements.

lt is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments that have been described. In particular some of the meansthat have been mentioned, such as the continuous row of articulatedtransporter elements, can be used as well with overpressure air cushionsas with subatmospheric pressure chambers.

What is claimed is:

1. A conveyor system comprising:

a supporting structure serving as a track,

a row of transporter elements movable along and guided by said track,means for supporting and guiding said transporter elements relative tosaid track, said means comprising at least one wall of said track andone wall of each transporter element, said two walls facing each otherand being separated by a gaseous medium, and means developing a field ofnonmechanical attraction forces which acts between said walls to developa supporting force, means for propelling said transporter elementsrelative to said track, said means comprising at least one wall of saidtrack and one wall of each transporter element, said two walls facingeach other and being separated by a gaseous medium, and means actingbetween said walls to develop a propulsion force,

each said transporter element comprising means for picking up andsupporting objects to be transported, said means comprising at least onewall of said transporter element adapted to face one wall of one objectto be transported, and said means for developing a field ofnonmechanical attraction forces also acting between said wall of saidtransporter element and said wall of said object to be transported todevelop a pickup force for said object when said walls are at a distancefrom each other and move relative to each other in a directionsubstantially parallel to said walls, and developing a supporting forcefor said object after the latter has been picked up.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a supportingforce comprising means for establishing gas cushions between said trackand said transporter elements.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, said gas cushions being atsubatmospheric pressure, the portion of said track that bounds said gascushions being disposed above the portion of the transporter elementsthat bounds said gas cushions.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2, in which said gas cushions are atsuperatmospheric pressure.

5. A system as claimed in claim 2, in which said transporter elementseach comprises at least one air extraction means permanently connectedto a lift chamber defined between the track and a said element, and aremotely controlled valve connecting said chamber to a chamber definedbetween the transporter element and the lifted object.

6. A system as claimed in claim 2, in which the track is located abovethe transporter elements and comprises enveloping lateral flangesextending below the edges of said elements, said elements comprisingT-shaped extensions projecting into a passageway formed in the lowerpart of the track and laterally limited by said flanges.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, in which said transporter elementscomprise compressors that feed branched ducts that open into a spacebetween the horizontal wings of said T- shaped extensions and the edgesof said enveloping flanges beneath said wings.

8. A system as claimed in claim 2, said means to develop a supportingforce comprising a fixed collector secured to the track and havingspaced orifices to connect it to the track, and means carried by thetrack to maintain in said collector a pressure that is different fromatmospheric.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, said collector comprising a beamsupporting said track.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8, in which said transporter elementscomprise rigid frameworks connected by joints of variable length havingthe same cross section as said frameworks and comprising sealing meansto ensure airtightness of relatively movable parts of the system.

11. A system as claimed in claim 8, said transporter elements comprisingrigid plates and resilient members forming a continuous flexibletransport belt.

12. A system as claimed in claim 8, said track comprising rotatablemembers mounted on the inside faces of enveloping lateral walls for thelateral guidance of said transporter elements.

13. A system as claimed in claim 8, said track being located above thetransporter elements and comprising enveloping flanges extending belowthe edges of said elements.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, to which the inside of saidcollector is maintained at subatmospheric pressure, said orifices beingdisposed above said transporter elements.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13, in which the inside of saidcollector is maintained at superatmospheric pressure, said orificesbeing disposed below the transporter elements.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a supportingforce comprising magnetic means.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, said magnetic means comprisingmagnetic circuits having airgaps and being spaced apart along saidtrack, said transporter elements including magnetic armatures movable insaid airgaps transversely to the magnetic flux lines of said magneticcircuits.

18. A system as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elements beingself-propelled.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elements beingindependent from each other.

20. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means for developing a field ofnonmechanical attraction forces comprising pneumatic attraction means.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, said pneumatic attraction meanscomprising means defining a lift chamber between a lower face of a saidtransporter element and an upper face of the object to be transported, avacuum source for evacuating said chamber, and means to bring saidchamber to atmospher- 1c pressure.

22. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a liftingforce comprising magnetic attraction means.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, and electromagnets carried by saidtransporter elements.

24. A system as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elements includingdetachable mechanical retention means for the objects to be transported.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, said detachable mechanicalretention means being automatically engaged by the approach of theobject and the transporter elements to each other, and remote controlmeans for disengaging said retention means.

26. A system as claimed in claim 1, and pneumatic means ro guide thetransporter elements transversely along the track.

27. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said track comprises anoverhead beam supported by pylons.

28. A system as claimed in claim 1, and a tunnel in which said track ismounted.

29. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means suspending the objects tobe transported below the transporter elements.

30. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a liftingforce comprising means establishing mutual attraction between saidtransporter elements and said objects.

31. A system as claimed in claim 30, in which said transporter elementscomprise pneumatic attraction means for the objects including a liftchamber having two substantially parallel faces one carried by a saidtransporter element and the other carried by the lifted element, andmeans for establishing in said chamber a subatmospheric pressure.

32. A system as claimed in claim 30, said means establishing said mutualattraction comprising an upper flat surface portion of said object.

33. A system as claimed in claim 32, said flat surface portioncomprising a roof of a container of merchandise.

34. A system as claimed in claim 32, said flat surface portioncomprising the face of a window pane.

35. A system as claimed in claim 32, said flat surface portioncomprising the roof of a vehicle.

36. A system as claimed in claim 1, and an auxiliary transporter for theloading and unloading of objects onto and from said transporterelements.

37. A system as claimed in claim 36, and current-conducting meansextending along the track and having electrically live locations atloading and unloading stations for the objects, said elements havingcurrent pickups to contact with said live locations thereby electricallyto control the attachment and detachment of objects to and from saidtransporter elements.

38. A system as claimed in claim 36, and means to guide objects parallelto said track adjacent the loading and unloading positions thereof.

39. A system as claimed in claim 36, and an embankment having a profilewith two slopes to permit said objects and transporter elements toprogressively approach and recede from each other adjacent the loadingand unloading positions thereof.

40. A system as claimed in claim 36, in which there are two superposedsaid tracks comprising an upper track to which the transporter elementsare joined by attraction means and a lower track having additionaltransporter elements mounted on it and supported by positive airpressure cushions, and means to control said detachable connection meansbetween said upper transporter elements and said objects for themovement of said objects from the upper transporter elements to thelower transporter elements.

41. A system as claimed in claim 40, and vacuum means for establishingsubatmospheric pressure between said transporter elements and saidobjects.

42. A system as claimed in claim 36, and means to accelerate the objectsto the speed of the transporter elements, and means to bring a surfaceof said objects progressively closer to a surface of said transporterelements while said objects are accelerating.

43. A system as claimed in claim 42, and means to bring the speed andposition of said objects and of said transporter elements intocoincidence with each other.

44. A system as claimed in claim 1, and a main track for circulation oftransporter elements and a side track connected to said main track forthe loading and unloading of said objects.

45. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said objects to betransported are hollow.

46. A system as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elements comprisingsuction cups connected to said elements by extensible bellows, and meansto establish subatmospheric pressure in said bellows.

47. A system as claimed in claim 1, and a linear electric motorconnected to a source of sequential impulses for synchronizing themovement of said transporter elements.

48. A system as claimed in claim 1, each transporter element carryingthe armature of a linear electric motor whose fixed magnetic circuit iscarried by the track.

49. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means to damp the relativevertical movement between the transporter elements and the objects beingtransported.

50. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means remotely controlled by thetransporter elements that are not loaded, for bringing said objects upto speed for pickup by the transporter elements to be loaded.

5]. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means to self-propel saidobjects, and a disengagement track for removing said objects that failto be picked up by said transporter elements.

52. A system as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elements havingmeans to emit remote control signals when they fail to be loaded.

53. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means to detect the verticalalignment of the centers of gravity of said transporter elements andsaid objects.

54. A system as claimed in claim 1, and auxiliary means on said objects,and means on said transporter elements to supply said auxiliary means tosaid objects when said transporter ele ments receive said objects.

55. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of transporterelements conjointly transport a single object.

56. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means for regulating the spacingbetween the transporter elements.

t a 1: s

1. A conveyor system comprising: a supporting structure serving as atrack, a row of transporter elements movable along and guided by saidtrack, means for supporting and guiding said transporter elementsrelative to said track, said means comprising at least one wall of saidtrack and one wall of each transporter element, said two walls facingeach other and being separated by a gaseous medium, and means developinga field of nonmechanical attraction forces which acts between said wallsto develop a supporting force, means for propelling said transporterelements relative to said track, said means comprising at least one wallof said track and one wall of each transporter element, said two wallsfacing each other and being separated by a gaseous medium, and meansacting between said walls to develop a propulsion force, each saidtransporter element comprising means for picking up and supportingobjects to be transported, said means comprising at least one wall ofsaid transporter element adapted to face one wall of one object to betransported, and said means for developing a field of nonmechanicalattraction forces also acting between said wall of said transporterelement and said wall of said object to be transported to develop apickup force for said object when said walls are at a distance from eachother and move relative to each other in a direction substantiallyparallel to said walls, and developing a supporting force for saidobject after the latter has been picked up.
 2. A system as claimed inclaim 1, said means to develop a supporting force comprising means forestablishing gas cushions between said track and said transporterelements.
 3. A system as claimed in claim 2, said gas cushions being atsubatmospheric pressure, the portion of said track that bounds said gascushions being disposed above the portion of the transporter elementsthat bounds said gas cushions.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 2, inwhich said gas cushions are at superatmospheric pRessure.
 5. A system asclaimed in claim 2, in which said transporter elements each comprises atleast one air extraction means permanently connected to a lift chamberdefined between the track and a said element, and a remotely controlledvalve connecting said chamber to a chamber defined between thetransporter element and the lifted object.
 6. A system as claimed inclaim 2, in which the track is located above the transporter elementsand comprises enveloping lateral flanges extending below the edges ofsaid elements, said elements comprising T-shaped extensions projectinginto a passageway formed in the lower part of the track and laterallylimited by said flanges.
 7. A system as claimed in claim 6, in whichsaid transporter elements comprise compressors that feed branched ductsthat open into a space between the horizontal wings of said T-shapedextensions and the edges of said enveloping flanges beneath said wings.8. A system as claimed in claim 2, said means to develop a supportingforce comprising a fixed collector secured to the track and havingspaced orifices to connect it to the track, and means carried by thetrack to maintain in said collector a pressure that is different fromatmospheric.
 9. A system as claimed in claim 8, said collectorcomprising a beam supporting said track.
 10. A system as claimed inclaim 8, in which said transporter elements comprise rigid frameworksconnected by joints of variable length having the same cross section assaid frameworks and comprising sealing means to ensure airtightness ofrelatively movable parts of the system.
 11. A system as claimed in claim8, said transporter elements comprising rigid plates and resilientmembers forming a continuous flexible transport belt.
 12. A system asclaimed in claim 8, said track comprising rotatable members mounted onthe inside faces of enveloping lateral walls for the lateral guidance ofsaid transporter elements.
 13. A system as claimed in claim 8, saidtrack being located above the transporter elements and comprisingenveloping flanges extending below the edges of said elements.
 14. Asystem as claimed in claim 13, to which the inside of said collector ismaintained at subatmospheric pressure, said orifices being disposedabove said transporter elements.
 15. A system as claimed in claim 13, inwhich the inside of said collector is maintained at superatmosphericpressure, said orifices being disposed below the transporter elements.16. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a supportingforce comprising magnetic means.
 17. A system as claimed in claim 16,said magnetic means comprising magnetic circuits having airgaps andbeing spaced apart along said track, said transporter elements includingmagnetic armatures movable in said airgaps transversely to the magneticflux lines of said magnetic circuits.
 18. A system as claimed in claim1, said transporter elements being self-propelled.
 19. A system asclaimed in claim 1, said transporter elements being independent fromeach other.
 20. A system as claimed in claim 1, said means fordeveloping a field of nonmechanical attraction forces comprisingpneumatic attraction means.
 21. A system as claimed in claim 20, saidpneumatic attraction means comprising means defining a lift chamberbetween a lower face of a said transporter element and an upper face ofthe object to be transported, a vacuum source for evacuating saidchamber, and means to bring said chamber to atmospheric pressure.
 22. Asystem as claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a lifting forcecomprising magnetic attraction means.
 23. A system as claimed in claim22, and electromagnets carried by said transporter elements.
 24. Asystem as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elements includingdetachable mechanical retention means for the objects to be transported.25. A system as claimed in claim 24, said detachable mechanicalretention means being automatically engaged by the approach of theobjeCt and the transporter elements to each other, and remote controlmeans for disengaging said retention means.
 26. A system as claimed inclaim 1, and pneumatic means to guide the transporter elementstransversely along the track.
 27. A system as claimed in claim 1, inwhich said track comprises an overhead beam supported by pylons.
 28. Asystem as claimed in claim 1, and a tunnel in which said track ismounted.
 29. A system as claimed in claim 1, and means suspending theobjects to be transported below the transporter elements.
 30. A systemas claimed in claim 1, said means to develop a lifting force comprisingmeans establishing mutual attraction between said transporter elementsand said objects.
 31. A system as claimed in claim 30, in which saidtransporter elements comprise pneumatic attraction means for the objectsincluding a lift chamber having two substantially parallel faces onecarried by a said transporter element and the other carried by thelifted element, and means for establishing in said chamber asubatmospheric pressure.
 32. A system as claimed in claim 30, said meansestablishing said mutual attraction comprising an upper flat surfaceportion of said object.
 33. A system as claimed in claim 32, said flatsurface portion comprising a roof of a container of merchandise.
 34. Asystem as claimed in claim 32, said flat surface portion comprising theface of a window pane.
 35. A system as claimed in claim 32, said flatsurface portion comprising the roof of a vehicle.
 36. A system asclaimed in claim 1, and an auxiliary transporter for the loading andunloading of objects onto and from said transporter elements.
 37. Asystem as claimed in claim 36, and current-conducting means extendingalong the track and having electrically live locations at loading andunloading stations for the objects, said elements having current pickupsto contact with said live locations thereby electrically to control theattachment and detachment of objects to and from said transporterelements.
 38. A system as claimed in claim 36, and means to guideobjects parallel to said track adjacent the loading and unloadingpositions thereof.
 39. A system as claimed in claim 36, and anembankment having a profile with two slopes to permit said objects andtransporter elements to progressively approach and recede from eachother adjacent the loading and unloading positions thereof.
 40. A systemas claimed in claim 36, in which there are two superposed said trackscomprising an upper track to which the transporter elements are joinedby attraction means and a lower track having additional transporterelements mounted on it and supported by positive air pressure cushions,and means to control said detachable connection means between said uppertransporter elements and said objects for the movement of said objectsfrom the upper transporter elements to the lower transporter elements.41. A system as claimed in claim 40, and vacuum means for establishingsubatmospheric pressure between said transporter elements and saidobjects.
 42. A system as claimed in claim 36, and means to acceleratethe objects to the speed of the transporter elements, and means to bringa surface of said objects progressively closer to a surface of saidtransporter elements while said objects are accelerating.
 43. A systemas claimed in claim 42, and means to bring the speed and position ofsaid objects and of said transporter elements into coincidence with eachother.
 44. A system as claimed in claim 1, and a main track forcirculation of transporter elements and a side track connected to saidmain track for the loading and unloading of said objects.
 45. A systemas claimed in claim 1, in which said objects to be transported arehollow.
 46. A system as claimed in claim 1, said transporter elementscomprising suction cups connected to said elements by extensiblebellows, and means to establish subatmospheric pressure in said bellows.47. A system as claimed in cLaim 1, and a linear electric motorconnected to a source of sequential impulses for synchronizing themovement of said transporter elements.
 48. A system as claimed in claim1, each transporter element carrying the armature of a linear electricmotor whose fixed magnetic circuit is carried by the track.
 49. A systemas claimed in claim 1, and means to damp the relative vertical movementbetween the transporter elements and the objects being transported. 50.A system as claimed in claim 1, and means remotely controlled by thetransporter elements that are not loaded, for bringing said objects upto speed for pickup by the transporter elements to be loaded.
 51. Asystem as claimed in claim 1, and means to self-propel said objects, anda disengagement track for removing said objects that fail to be pickedup by said transporter elements.
 52. A system as claimed in claim 1,said transporter elements having means to emit remote control signalswhen they fail to be loaded.
 53. A system as claimed in claim 1, andmeans to detect the vertical alignment of the centers of gravity of saidtransporter elements and said objects.
 54. A system as claimed in claim1, and auxiliary means on said objects, and means on said transporterelements to supply said auxiliary means to said objects when saidtransporter elements receive said objects.
 55. A system as claimed inclaim 1, in which a plurality of transporter elements conjointlytransport a single object.
 56. A system as claimed in claim 1, and meansfor regulating the spacing between the transporter elements.